Guide to Board of Trustees Session Types:

• Closed Executive Session: Board members and staff only.
• Open to Observers Session: local and remote attendees are welcome to listen in.
• Open Forum Session: local and remote attendees are welcome to ask questions, provide input, and discuss with the board. 

Note: there were no Open Forum Sessions scheduled for this meeting.

Trustees Present: 
Ted Hardie, Chair
Olufunke Baruwa
Ramanou Biaou
Brian Haberman
Maureen Hilyard
Russ Housley
Victor Kuarsingh
Barry Leiba
Charles Mok
Kathleen Moriarty
Caleb Ogundele
Laura Thomson
Sagarika Wickramasekera
Sally Wentworth, President and CEO, non-voting

Staff Members Present:
Katie Bengaard, Senior Vice President of Strategy, Internet Society (ISOC)
Yogesh Khanna, Managing Director, ISOC
Ilona Levine, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, ISOC
Chris Locke, Managing Director, ISOC Foundation
Sae Park, Chief Financial Officer, ISOC
Lauren Terrell, Director of Governance, ISOC

Guests Present for Certain Portions of the Meeting:
Sebastian Bellagamba, Vice President of External and Community Engagement, ISOC
Chris Burns, Vice President of Philanthropy, ISOC Foundation
Stephanie Sparks, Vice President of Fundraising, ISOC Foundation
Cara Unterkofler, Senior Director of Organization Members, ISOC Foundation

1. Welcome and Declaration of Conflicts – Ted Hardie

Mr. Hardie called the ISOC Foundation Board of Trustees meeting to order in Open to Observers Session on Sunday, 19 April 2026 at 9:03 UTC.

Mr. Hardie called for any conflicts; none were declared.

2. Foundation Update – Chris Locke

Chris Locke presented an update on the Foundation’s activities and operations.

On empowerment, Mr. Locke reported that 7,825 people have been trained against an annual target of 11,000, driven largely by strong uptake of short video-based courses. He noted that 39 of the 100 targeted tutors are actively delivering training. He also reported that alumni engagement metrics are still in an early stage and are expected to build throughout the year.

On philanthropy, Mr. Locke reported that $292,090 was committed across 20 grants in the first quarter, against a $13 million annual target. He noted that five grant programs launched in the first quarter and that the bulk of commitments is expected in the third quarter. He also reported that three co-fund initiatives, Community Centered Connectivity, the Common Good Cyber Fund, and Anti-Scam, are on track, with applications and decisions staggered from the second quarter through early 2027.

On revenue generation, Mr. Locke reported that four new organization members have been secured. He noted that the team is working toward a €1 million contribution to the Common Good Cyber Fund by the second quarter and that corporate employee giving outreach is scheduled for the second quarter.

On strategic communications, Mr. Locke reported that communications operating costs were reduced by 36% year over year, exceeding the 20% reduction target.

Mr. Locke stated that the Foundation’s first-quarter performance is consistent with its planned cadence, with grant commitments, co-fund launches, and revenue partnerships expected to accelerate materially in the second and third quarters.

Discussion ensued, including questions about training and stretch goals

3. Philanthropy Strategy Update – Chris Burns

Mr. Burns presented the philanthropy team’s revamp of its 2026 grant portfolio to align with ISOC’s 2030 Strategy. He explained that the adjustments span programmatic changes, monitoring, evaluation, and learning, and donor engagement.

On programmatic changes, Mr. Burns reported that the grant portfolio has been restructured across six strategic pillars: Community-Centered Connectivity, Affordable and Reliable Access, Online Trust and Safety, Open and Trustworthy Internet, Internet Insights and Innovation, and Community and Partner Mobilization. He noted that the Resiliency Program will sunset in 2026.

Mr. Burns also reported that the Research Grant Program has been revamped with new theme areas developed in collaboration with ISOC experts. These theme areas include Inclusive Internet, Trustworthy Internet, Greening Internet, and Measuring Internet Connectivity, and are intended to attract more applications that support the 2030 goals.

Mr. Burns further reported that the SCILLS program, which operates in Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Ghana, Indonesia, and Senegal, added a 2026 requirement that applications include building connectivity solutions for target populations. This requirement builds on 2025 changes that embedded safer Internet practices into all 12 grants.

On monitoring, evaluation, and learning, Mr. Burns reported that the team is adopting a data-first approach to inform future investments and co-funded partnerships. He identified several key initiatives, including revamping theories of change and measurement frameworks to align with the 2030 Strategy, launching a best-practices verification effort, and coordinating with the SAI team on data collection and governance.

On donor engagement, Mr. Burns reported that the team is shifting from traditional philanthropy to a trusted donor partnership model. He explained that this model focuses on building relationships that position the Foundation as a leader in safe, meaningful connectivity, demonstrating strong stewardship of co-donor funds, and modernizing how the Foundation communicates its value to donors.

Discussion ensued with trustees asking questions about the SCILLS program and research grants.

At 9:05 UTC, the meeting entered into Closed Executive Session where the following topics were discussed.

4. CFO’s Report: 2025 Pre-Audit Financial Updates – Sae Park

Ms. Park presented the Foundation’s pre-audit financial results for the year ended 31 December 2025.

5. Finance Committee Report – Victor Kuarsingh

Mr. Kuarsingh presented the Finance Committee report.

6. Update on Community Connectivity Co-Fund – Chris Locke and Chris Burns

The board received an update on the Community Connectivity Co-Fund.

7. Update on Common Good Cyber Co-Fund – Chris Locke, Chris Burns, and Stephanie Sparks

Ms. Sparks provided an update on the Common Good Cyber Co-fund.

8. Strengthening Corporate & Organization Members Engagement and Acquisition – Yogesh  Khanna, Chris Locke, Cara Unterkofler, Sebastian Bellagamba, and Stephanie Sparks

The team presented on corporate and organizational member engagement and acquisition.

At 11:50 UTC, the meeting reconvened in Open to Observers Session.

9. Adjournment – Ted Hardie

With no further business, Mr. Hardie adjourned the meeting at 11:51 UTC.